New Delhi: Soon after Shiv Sena rebel Eknath Shinde took oath as Maharashtra Chief Minister and Devendra Fadnavis his deputy on Thursday, leaders across all the parties started reacting to the change of government. Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated rebel Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde, who was sworn in as the new Chief Minister of Maharashtra, and called him a grassroots leader and hoped that he would work towards taking the state to newer heights.
Modi also congratulated senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Devendra Fadnavis, who took oath as a member of the Shinde cabinet and described him as an inspiration to every BJP worker.
I would like to congratulate Shri @mieknathshinde Ji on taking oath as Maharashtra CM. A grassroots level leader, he brings with him rich political, legislative and administrative experience. I am confident that he will work towards taking Maharashtra to greater heights.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 30, 2022
Meanwhile, former Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray has also extended his best wishes to the newly formed government in the state saying, “I extend my greeting to the new CM of Maharashtra Eknath Shinde and Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis. I hope that good works take place in Maharashtra through both of you”
Newly appointed Chief Minister of Maharashtra @mieknathshinde G and Deputy Chief Minister @Dev_Fadnavis Best wishes for the future. I wish you a good job in Maharashtra!
— Office of Uddhav Thackeray (@OfficeofUT) June 30, 2022
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said that since 2014, the focus of the BJP has been to topple the elected governments in the states.
“We strongly condemn the way BJP is destabilising both democratically elected governments and democratically installed governments. This is not only an insult to democracy, but also an insult to the people who voted against the ideology of BJP,” he said in a statement as quoted by news agency PTI.
“Through the naked display of money and muscle power, the BJP has undemocratically and unethically captured yet another state government. Under the Modi-Shah duo, the BJP wants to capture power at any cost, either directly or through remote control. What happened in Maharashtra is shameful for Indian democracy,” he said.
Jairam Ramesh, who is also general secretary of communication in charge of the All India Congress Committee (AICC), said that the offices of governors, speakers, and central agencies like the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) are openly misused.
“The BJP can go to any extent to win elections – From misuse of money power to polarisation and violence. Despite using all these tactics, if the voters reject them, then they start hatching conspiracies to topple elected governments,” he further said.
Congress’ in-charge of media and publicity Pawan Khera, said termed the new Maharashtra government led by the BJP and Shiv Sena dissidents as “ED Sarkar”, a reference to the first names of chief minister Eknath Shinde and Devendra Fadnavis.
“Introducing the new ED Sarkar. #Maharastra,” tweeted Pawan Khera.
Introducing the new ED Sarkar. #Maharashtra pic.twitter.com/fO9BSudnoE
— Pawan Khera (@Pawankhera) June 30, 2022
TMC chief spokesperson Sukhendu Sekhar has also reacted and termed the political developments in Maharashtra as “ominous signs for a democracy”, as reported by PTI.
“What happened in Maharashtra is an ominous sign for a democracy. A democratically elected government was toppled through undemocratic means… this is a dangerous trend. The politics of horse trading, financed by the BJP, was at play. The BJP’s agenda is to capture power by hook or by crook,” TMC chief spokesperson Sukhendu Sekhar Ray said.